Jason Holt to edit Professional Jeweller Jan issue

Inspirational jewellery boss to create issue about all things British.

Jason Holt of Holts Gems and Holts Academy will take the helm at Professional Jeweller magazine for the January issue.

As guest editor Holt will set the agenda for the issue and has chosen to focus on all things British, raising issues such as what makes a piece of jewellery British, who the next international jewellery stars to emerge from the UK will be, how British jewellery manufacturing can compete with the likes of India and China and how to break down barriers holding British jewellery companies back.

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The editorial team at Professional Jeweller select a guest editor for the January issue each year, with jewellery designer Shaun Leane and Rox directors Grant Mitchell and Kyron Keogh taking on the challenge in previous years. This year the team approached Holt, who has had a busy year leading a government review into apprenticeships and picking up business awards – just last night he picked up the Local Hero gong at the Growing Business Award.

Holt said: “I’m very flattered and feel that if Professional Jeweller thinks I have something of value to contribute then I’ll give it my best shot to edit an issue that paints the world we all need to think about. A new world of opportunity.

“The world’s eyes are on us and it’s never been a better time to rethink our plans, rethink what we’re doing and how we’re spending our time. If I can help readers ask those questions then job done.”

Professional Jeweller editor-in-chief Rachael Taylor said she was delighted that the team has managed to secure its first choice for guest editor for the third year running.

She added: "Each year we sit down to debate who would make a great choice for guest editor to bring a fresh perspective to the magazine in the first month of the year, and to date we have been lucky enough to secure our first choice each time, which this year was, of course, Jason Holt.

"Jason has enjoyed a high profile in the trade this year through his much publicised government review of apprenticeships, something that has allowed him to talk to a wide breadth of people in the trade. He is involved in a number of businesses, including an academy, a retail store, a wholesale business and technology company Holition, giving him a rich and diverse pool of expertise to draw upon, and so we believe that his British issue will help us get to the heart of some pressing issues facing the industry in 2013."

As with previous guest editors, Professional Jeweller readers will be given the opportunity to put any questions they might have to Holt, with the answer published in the January issue of the magazine. If you would like to submit a question you can comment below or email info@professionaljeweller.com.